Nothing beats the enjoyment of grilling in the past and present, because of the excitement of spending precious time with relatives while waiting for the grilled food. The fragrance of the sizzling meat is the reward of a clean and well-maintained grill. If the grill is filthy, it gives a foul smell and ends up rusting the grill.
It is a great problem faced by every griller which ruins everything due to its flaky and rough texture and is harmful to health. It normally occurs due to the reaction of moisture on the metal in the presence of oxygen. It ruins the appearance with a brown or goldish color and clear cuts or cracks on the grill, so it is necessary to prevent rust on grills.
What is Rusting on a Grill?
Rusting is a typical problem with metallic things, especially those that are open to moisture or left outside unattained. Some high-quality grills are rust-resistant to some extent due to the quality of the steel or the coating giving extra durability. However, it also gets rust if it is not cared for correctly. The most severe impact of rust is its corrosive effect on metal which wears it out completely.
Rust is primarily created by the oxidation of iron, which results in the formation of a compound known as iron oxide, which is the chemical name for rust. Iron, oxygen, and water are the three elements that interact in rust production, and make the grill worthless. It is necessary to avoid the interaction of these elements after you are done with grilling to prevent rust on the grill.
How To Prevent Rust on Grills
Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a novice in outdoor cooking, all grillers should know how to prevent rust on grills. There are situations when you see rust on your grill and it is important to remove it before starting cooking. Rusty is not just bad for the grill but it is also dangerous for the health. It alters the taste of the food and lengthens the time of cooking food. There are many ways to remove the surface rust but if you have not used your grill for so long then that rust will need some extra hard work for removal.
1. Find the Rusty Areas
it is necessary to find the areas that contain rust before starting to remove it. The most prone areas for rust are the bottom of the grill because it always faces high temperatures, grease and juice from the food, and the food particles. The combination of all of these makes the bottom the best inhabitant for microorganisms that participate in the formation of rust.
The ashes are an additional culprit in charcoal grills and most of the portable underbudget charcoal grills get rusted easily. The other parts are the body, handles, lid, and grates.
2. Use Grill Brush or Scraper
When you point out those rusty areas then the very next step is to go for the instruments that are necessary for scrapping the grill. The grill brush is specially designed for removing stick particles either food particles or rust. Try to scrub it according to the need and don’t go so intense otherwise you will scrap the protective layer from most of the grill. If you don’t have a grill brush then you can use a scrapper for that as well.
3. Wash the Grill
When you are done with scrapping and you see the rust is completely removed from the different parts of the grill it is time to wash them. Take a bucket of water add some dish detergent soap to it and apply on the grill. Let the soap for some time to dissolve the rust completely and then wash it with clean water.
4. Dry the Grill Thoroughly
After washing the grill, it is necessary to fry the grill because the dish detergent and water will leave stains on the grill. Drying it will also remove the remaining rust from the grill and make the grill clear from the rust.
If you have a gas grill and you wash the burners then it is recommended to dry the burners completely otherwise water will make more rust within the burners and that will be even more dangerous if the rust worn out the burners from anywhere.
5. Using Vegetable Oil or Bacon Grease
It is time to add a protective layer on the grill to avoid any further rust. To do this first apply and thin layer of oil on the parts with a paper towel. Use a tong to brush the paper towel all over the body, especially on the grates because they have direct contact with the food, and the rusty grill grates prove to be dangerous.
It is better to go for at least 2 times to achieve appropriate seasoning. After applying the oil fix the parts on the grill and switch on the grill for some time. Mostly I allow my grill to heat for 20 minutes to achieve the perfect metallic black color.
How to Avoid Rust by Regular Inspection?
Regular inspections are required to keep your grill from rusting. Remember that food residue, grease, and ash that gathers on the grill’s bottom might cause the metal surface to corrode till a hole forms at the bottom of the grill. You can fix the bottom of your rusted grill but it needs a little understanding. So, any traces of rust can be cleaned and treated regularly to prevent the grill from getting rust and getting you into problems.
Warm up the grill 10-15 minutes after each use so the residue food will be burned away. Then, wash them thoroughly with hot water. After that, dry it with a towel. When the grill is clean, apply some oil to the grill and mostly to those parts that get a lot of direct heat.
The oil protects the parts from rusting and gives you a non-stick nature even to the cast iron grill grates because removing rust from cast iron grates is a little bit hard. They don’t have any protective porcelain enamel coating until you buy a special one with a coating.
Precautionary Measures to Protect Your Grill from Rust
1. Never Use Liquids on Your Grill
You should never pour liquids straight onto your Grill. This implies not using water and soap to clean it. However, while grilling, you should avoid sprinkling sauces and liquid seasonings on the meat. The excess sauce will adhere to the grill and increase the rusting process.
Marinades and BBQ sauces should be used in the kitchen, not on the grill if you don’t love cleaning your grill after use. Rust is most commonly caused by liquid, so you must keep the liquids away from your grill.
2. Clean the Grill Frequently
Allowing fat and cooked-on food to linger on your grill for an extended amount of time might produce corrosion. To prevent rust, you should keep it clean every time you use it. How thoroughly you can clean your grill also depends on the type of grill you have.
For a gas grill: Remove the regulator of the gas line before cleaning the gas grill and also cover the burners. Take a high-quality grill brush to remove particles that have adhered to the grates. If you use low-quality brushes their bristles often break off and become stuck to the grill, it might be possible to damage the grill worth many bucks. It’s better to consider using a bristle-free brush.
For charcoal Grills: Clean charcoal grills while they are still hot because the cast iron is easy to clean when it is hot. You only need a brush and a small amount of water to remove food particles from the grill. Scrub it with the brush to eliminate any sticky food and grease from the grates and the bottom of the grill. Discard any remaining ashes and clean the cook box with light soap and water.
3. Remove the Grill Drip Tray
Hopefully, you’re aware that your barbecue has a drip tray underneath to catch greasy meat drippings. This is something you should double-check before and after every cook. When you are done with cooking remove the dripping tray and drain it. It will mostly be full of water, grease, and debris.
You should also check your drip tray if you leave your grill outside in the rain as the drip tray is like a bowl so there are chances of water in it after rain. If you let it fill with water for a long time it will rust your Grill also with itself soon.
4. Use Oil on Your Grill
Everyone is aware that water and oil do not mix. Using oil to protect the grill from water is a better option. This will prevent the grill from rusting because the non-polar nature of the oil makes a protective layer on the grill, so water will not cause corrosion. Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil on your grill and heat it for some time at a high temperature.
The grill will change its color which is a clear indication of a seasoned grill. However, seasoning a grill needs some additional steps that are a must to follow but if you are in a hurry that is enough to make your grill rust-free and get the best grill results.
5. Cover the Grill or Bring it Inside
Even if you maintain your barbecue spotless, the rust can still make the grill worthless. It is primarily caused by moisture, rain, and snow. When you are not going to use your grill for a longer time it is necessary to cover your grill with a fitted cover. These covers are helpful in the winter when you won’t be grilling much by giving their best to protect it from the outside hard weather.
These covers are pretty inexpensive and can prevent a lot of corrosion. Alternatively, you might store your grill inside while not in use. The grill is significantly less likely to come into touch with moisture in a garage or screened-in porch.
Can I Cook on a Rusty Grill?
No, using a rusted grill to cook food is not safe, and you can’t eat food prepared with a rusted grill as the fear of getting sick or experiencing significant health problems arises here. Rust is not a food-safe substance, it should not be consumed. Metallic things, mainly when left outside, are prone to rust.
Rust is a soft, porous, and crumbly substance that forms on the surface of the iron. Rust accumulates, and the iron ultimately crumbles away. If you haven’t cooked on your grill for months then you must go for a thorough cleaning and if you find rust on it then it is necessary to address it first. The main part to look for when going to grilling are the grates and if it is corroded and has rust then it is necessary to clean them.
Health Problems after Ingestion Rust
The US Department of Agriculture refuses to eat food that has come in contact with rusted utensils. According to the survey of USDA ingestion of rust can cause iron toxicity and many other health problems that include symptoms like vomiting, extreme nausea, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. These symptoms indicate iron poisoning which could be extremely fatal if ingested in a large quantity. It also led to the development of anemia in some individuals who have weak immune systems.
The other symptoms are heart palpitations, shortness of breath, headaches, fainting, and weakness, while some don’t show any ill effects at all due to a strong immune system. Overdose of iron may result in several physical issues such as hair loss, skin rashes, and fatigue.
Fix Rusty Grill with Homemade Solutions
1. Apply Lemon Juice on Grill
Rust can be removed using lemon juice, because of its acidic (citric acid) nature of it. When it reacts with metal it forms iron oxide and releases hydrogen gas. You can use lemon juice with a combination of powder detergent to make a rust-busting paste. Allow it to sit for about 2 hours, then scrub the area before rinsing it.
2. Use Baking soda with vinegar
Baking soda is basic in nature and vinegar is acidic in nature and it makes sodium acetate which is a salt. When the paste is applied on the rusty part of the grill the vinegar breaks down the rusty particles and the cleaning nature of baking soda scrubs the rust away from the metal. Add half a cup of baking soda with a cup of vinegar to make a paste. Apply it on the rusty parts and leave it for 30 minutes for the paste to work properly.
3. Use Soap and water
Dish detergent or soap is basic in nature because it is an end product of strong bases and weak acids. If you apply soap on the rusty parts of the grill it will remove the surface rust easily. Make a mixture of soap and warm water and apply it using a sponge and scrub it until you see the rust gets removed or use a nylon brush for hard-to-remove rust. If you have a hydro blast machine, it will make your cleaning easy with its high-pressure water.
Using Commercial Products for Rust Removal
If you can afford the commercial product then it is best to remove the rust easily and prevent your grill from rusting in the future. Take a stainless-steel cleaner and remove the surface rust, stain, and discoloration from the grill. When you are done with this process take a stainless-steel polish and apply it on the grill to get the shine again on the grill.
When you are done with the cleaning use the steel polish before storing the grill to get a shiny look next time and prevent it from rust while not using it. If you are accustomed to cleaning your grill whenever you see a stain it will maintain the shiny look of the grill with the longevity of the grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep a cast-iron grill from rusting?
Cast iron grills are noted for their toughness, and when properly cared for, they may outlast most of our other durable appliances. A cast iron grill will rust if it is not correctly cleaned and stored with moisture within. So, the most excellent method to eliminate rust is to prevent it from forming in the first place. Cast iron is the safer choice for grilling delicate meals that are prone to sticking unless you have a clean and well-oiled grate.
Is WD-40 good for removing rust from the grill?
WD-40 is considered a solvent but it was originally used in the aerospace industry as an anti-corrosive agent for preventing rust. It removes rust from almost every metal, so if you have a grill made of iron, chrome, and stainless steel it will remove rust from them. It does not damage the grill by reacting with them and removing the paint from the body.
What are the symptoms of rust on the grill?
The first sign of rust is a deposition of white, and reddish-brown spots on different parts of the grill like burners, grates, and on the body. After that, the surface of these parts starts getting rough and ultimately you will see powder rust on them. It is a clear indication for grill owners to clean it of the rust otherwise they will face serious health issues or will lose money in the form of a worn-out grill.
What are the most common causes of grill rust?
The main causes of grill rust are rain, humidity in the area, high temperature, and improper storage. Grill is made up of iron or an alloy of it that is also prone to rust. The oxygen can react with any iron-containing metal, including iron, steel, and cast iron. The other main cause is the high heat around 450 to 850 Degree Celsius fasters the rusting process. Cleaning and proper storage will reduce the chances of rust formation on the grill and help to maintain the appearance and functionality over the period.
Conclusion
Rust on a grill is an unattractive and undesirable thing that not only compromises the structural integrity but is also dangerous for the health. To prevent rust on the grill it is necessary to inspect the grill and its parts regularly. If you find a little bit rust don’t leave it unattainable because the rust spreads so rapidly. Remove the rust and apply a protective layer with the help of vegetable oil or specially formulated grill protectants.
Burning the residue off, cleaning the grill with soap and water, and drying the grill after each use will reduce the chances of rust formation. Additionally, homemade solutions like lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, or commercial rust removers, can help in the removal of rust easily. It will protect the grill for many years and you will protect your investment in the long run.